Album Review

The five-volume In Yo' Face: The History of Funk series was a very welcomed thing when Rhino issued it in 1993 and remained a valuable source over a decade later, boasting one of the best documentations of '70s and early-'80s funk around -- even in the wake of dozens upon dozens of other like-minded sets. That said, In Yo' Face does have its limitations. It's frustrating that the majority of the inclusions appear in three-to-four-minute radio edits (thus stripping some crucial dynamics); it's also a little odd that each disc sticks to a strict 15-track capacity; and crate-digging funk fans will notice that Rhino must've run into a few licensing roadblocks, since there are some significant holes. Regardless, these five discs have been invaluable to wedding DJs, party hosts, and newcomers alike. The fourth volume again features a number of artists who have already appeared in the series, but the wealth of exciting material remains undeniable. Marvin Gaye's "Got to Give It Up, Pt. 1," George Duke's "Reach for It," Slave's "Slide," the Bar-Kays' "Shake Your Rump to the Funk," Bootsy's Rubber Band's "The Pinocchio Theory," and Parliament's "Tear the Roof off the Sucker (Give up the Funk)" make the disc another excellent addition to the series.